James Mills Preston
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
James Mills Preston was born in Heaton Norris, Stockport in 1886, the son of Joseph and Mary Tillison Preston, nee Mills. He was the youngest of their three children, the other being Louise born 1882 and Henry born 1883. Henry later emigrated to Illinois, USA. Their father, Joseph became a gardener on the Tabley estate living at Budworth Road, Tabley Superior, Cheshire. James took on the job of gardener for the Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth House by 1910. He left there in December 1911 and moved to Newbury, Berkshire where he carried on as a jobbing gardener. At some stage he made an association with Miss Ethel Jackson of Clumber Park, near Worksop and became engaged to her.
Pte. J. M. Preston Worksop Guardian 7 September 1917 Another Clumber Park soldier to make the supreme sacrifice is Pte. James Mills Preston, of the Hampshire Regiment, who was killed in France on August 3rd. He was formally employed in the Duke of Newcastle’s estate garden department, and was engaged to Miss Ethel Jackson, Clumber Park. Pte Preston was well liked by his fellow employees at Clumber, and the news of his death will be received with great regret. He joined the Army at Newbury, Berkshire. The intelligence that he had been killed reached Miss Jackson in the following letter:- “Dear Miss Jackson,-It is with deepest regret that I have to inform you that Pte. J. M. Preston was killed in action by shell fire during the recent advance on August 3rd. I am very sorry you have not been notified of this sad news before this. All the Company Officers were casualties, and I have only just recently rejoined. I know it will be some consolation to know that he was killed instantly and suffered no pain. He is sadly missed by the men of his Company, also the officers. He was a real brave man, and died for the honour and freedom of his Country. I will be pleased to give you any information you may require. The officers and men of the Regiment send their deepest sympathy with you in your great loss.-Yours sincerely, Horace. M. Pollemade, Sec. - Lieut. Hants: Regiment.” Miss Jackson will have the sympathy of her many friends in her great sorrow. Pte. Preston’s only relatives are in America.
Commemorated Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Research by Colin Dannatt
